Cleat remover



. Feb; 19 1924.

w. R. KIGI-IITLINGER CLEAT REMOVER Filed July 19. 1.922

Patented Feb. 19, 1924.

ms srarss WALTER RALEIGH xreiammnenn, or raa's'ons, KANSAS.

CLEAT REMOVEB.

Application filed July 19, 1922. Serial No. 576,133. I

The present invention relates to an implement intended for use in opening crates and 10 the like. Fruit, such as oranges, apples and tomatoes are packed for shipment in crates which generally have their tops held down by transverse cleats, and it is often necessary to open these crates toinspect the contents and to again close them for reshipment. In such a case it is desirable to open the crates without destroying the nails, and the object of the present invention is to provide an implement by means of which it is possible to remove a cleat and all its nails in one operation, so that the cleat may readily be put back into position. g

In the accompanying drawing one embodiment of the invention is illustrated, and

Figure 1 is a side view of the implement shown in position on the crate ready to remove the cleat, and- Fig. 2 is an end view of the implement. The implement is constructed in the shape of a pair of tongs having long shanks 1O constituting handles, hinged together, as at 11, and provided with a pair of jaws 12011 the opposite side. of the hinge. These jaws terminate each with a T-shaped flat piece 13. To these flat pieces 13 are riveted or in any other suitable manner secured, a pair of L-shaped bars 14 positioned with their lower flanges 15 opposite each other in order to provide gripping members for the cleats. These flanges 15 are preferably thin and tapered towards their edges and the length of each bar is considerably greater than the flat pieces 13 of the jaws 12. The length of the bars is approximately the same as the length 45 01" the cleats to be removed'or the width of the crates intended to be opened by the implement.

In Fig. 1 the reference numeral 16 represents a crate having top boards 17 held down by cleats 18fv By straddling the implement over the cleat, as shown in this figure and gripping the cleat tightly by means of the thin flanges 15 of the implement,the cleat is first loosened by rocking the implement in one directiomwhereupon the thin flange 15 will easily slip under the loosened side of the cleat. By a quick wrench of the implement the cleat will thereby become detachedfrom the crate, togetherwith all its nails. The I cleat will thenfbe ready for use to again close 6 the crate for reshipment.

In using the implement it is best'to rock it inwards over the crate after'a tight grip the cleat.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A cleat puller comprising a pair of tongs including two Z-shaped shanks each providing a handle portion, and a jaw por tion hinged together at the bend adjacent the handle portion, and an'L-bar rigidly secured 75 to thefree end of each of saidjaw portions and having greater length than the same,the thin opposing ledges of said bars constituting gripping elements. i

2. A cleat puller comprising a pair. Lot-8o tongs including two Z-shaped shanks eachproviding a handle portion, and ajaw portion hinged together at the bend adjacent the. handle portion, said jaw portion terminating with a transversely extending blade, a 35 I l' ,V-shaped reinforcement adjacent said blade,

and an L-bar rigidly secured toe'ach of said plates and havingv greater length than" the 7 same, thethin opposing ledges of said bars constituting gripping elements.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

WALTER RALEIGH mcimmcsa a 5. 

